1931-04-21 — Page 1

OSIXC

Supreme Court

SX China Mail

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HONG KONG & SHANGHAI HOTELS, LTD.

(Incorporated in Hong Kong.)

No. 27,776

GRAPHIC STORY

HARROWING SCENES

WITNESSED

1845

HONG KONG, TUESDAY, APRIŁ, 21, 1931.

OF OF TRAIN DISASTER

done by the breakdown gang in clearing the debris and allowing the injured to be removed in quicker time.

DARKNESS ADDS TO PASSENGERS' north of Shatin Station. It was

TERRORS

RESCUE PARTIES HANDICAPPED.

STORIES OF

REMARKABLE

ESCAPES

Carrying nearly 100 passengers, all Chinese, the 4-35 Tocal train from Shumchun, left the rails near the tenth milestone, between Taipo and Shatin, and plunged thirty feet to the bed of the stream that borders the permanent way at this point.

The engine and three coaches lay a mass of tangled wreckage at the bottom of the embankment, while the fourth coach is balanced in a precarious position on the edge of the track. Only one coach remains on the rails.

The accident which occurred at 5.15 p.m. yesterday evening, was the terrible result of the heavy rains, which fell in the previous 24 hours, undermining the permanent way.

COMMUNICATIONS BREAK

It was a considerable time be- fore news of the disaster reached Hong Kong, owing to the fact that the storm had pat all com- munication with the Colony out of order. As soon as word arrived, assistance was rushed to the scene, only to meet with another, set-buck- collapse on the road- way at Shatin. There were also two other obstacles on the Castle Peak Road which prevented the rescuers proceeding that way. The railway was also blocked in two places at Shatin.

DOWN

|

The relief by road was also hold up due to the collapse of small bridge, about 500 yards nt this point that a pri- vate motor car, driven by

H. H. Dr. Farr, with Mr. -Beddow as passenger. plunged into the gap. Fortunately neither was injured, but both had narrow

Long Distance.

escapes.

Refore ever

TO-DAY'S DOLLAR,→ The closing rate of the dollar on demand, to-day was 11 18/16.

DUNLOP

Local Branch. Fedder Bldg. Tet. 24554.

PRICE $3.00 Per Month.

MINORITIES IN BANDITS ACTIVE IN

INDIA.

NICARAGUA.

Police of the British Government.

STATEMENT IN COMMONS.

Rugby, Yesterday.

Position Reported to Be Under Control,

BRITISH SUBJECTS KILLED.

Mr. Arthur

KEEPING THE YOUNG FROM TEMPTATION.

Sunday Opening Bill Favoured by Masses.

M

PRAYERS FOR DEFEAT.

The

waterfall, together with the heart- rending cries of imprisoned human- ity presented an awe inspiring spectacle. Gathering gloom plac- ed the first of the rescuers at a severe disadvantage although, by a miracle, the lighting in the third coach was still in operation, cast- ing a faint light on the scene of desolation.

Diro Cause.

Ragby, Yesterday,

Rugby, 'Yesterday, With the arrival of each detach- In the House of Commons to-

Henderson, in the The House of Commons to-night rescuers came lighting day the attention of the Secre- House of Commons to-day "stated debated the Sunday Performances ment of appliances which gave a rough catary for India, Mr. Wedgwood- that according to a cable received Regulation Bill, which empowers timate of the damage sustained. Benn, was called to the resolution from the British Charge d'Affaires local authorities to licence the Sun-

Nicaragua, The bridge had undoubtedly with-passed at the all-India Moslem In

bandits have day opening of cinemas. on the Eastern Home Secretary, Mr. J. R. Clynes, This collapse held up all traffic stood the strain, and it was about Conference this month, and he been active

of the Republic but moving the second reading, said bringing relief and supplies to ten yards further on that the land- was asked what action was being Coast

slide had occurred with such dis- taken to assure Moslems that have been checked by the that the Government thought the help with the rescue work, and from this point, flares, stretchers, astrous effect. A small water-fall they and all other minorities in National Guard and are now re- problem of declaring the Sunday etc., had to be carried a distance opposite the scene of the disaster India could always rely on Bri-ported to be retreating inland. He opening of places of entertainment

had turned into a dangerously tish, protection.

regretted that in these disturbances illegal' under the 18th century Act of about two miles to the second crossing and then another three-powerful stream of water which

Mr. Benn, in reply, referred the two British West Indian subjects was one for solution by the collec-"

are reported totive wisdom of the House. quarters of a mile up the line to had by its force struck the train

the Premier's from Jamaica embankment and thus caused the questioners to

By the BiH Sunday opening the scene of the accident.

statement of policy at the con-have lost their lives,

Round The narrow space on top of the landslide.

Three United States warships would be decided by Local Option embankment greatly hampered

the train was including meeting of the the rescue party in their work, sight the rails were suspended th Table Conference. In the first have been despatched to the East and the authorities could allow the mid air and only a warning could paragraph of that declaration it Const ports with authority, he types of entertainment commonly

to disembark armed given in recent years. and care had to be taken to avoid missing

The B abolished the right of foot แ

hold possibly have saved the train as it was set out that the new Con-understood,

must contain such parties should the necessity arise.) and falling far below into mud steamed unsuspectingly around the stitution

guarantees as were required by In the view of the Officer Com-private peraons to sue as common and slime. But willing workers, bend to its doom.

hampered, rendered The engine driver, being unable the minorities to protect their manding the National Guard, the Informers for penalties under the

situation was now under control. Sunday Observance Act although

to avert the disaster, jammed on political rights.

British Wireless Service. all brakes in an endeavour to draw

The policy of the Government up in time. 'It was a practical in this matter was referred to by Impossibility, and the engine was him on March 12 in the House of While the American newspapers thrown about 40 feet on to the Commons, when he made it clear of all political complexions con-

It lay ten that such guarantees must be tinue to criticise. more or leas Rejection of the Bill was moved foot of the hill where feet from the first coach. It was, provided in order that the new violently, so-called reversion by Mr. McPherson (Liberal), who

Mr. Coolidge's indeed, fortunate that it became Constitution should start with the of

policy in claimed that the mass of opinion inter- some outside London and trade unattached from the carriage as goodwill and confidence of all Nicaragua, the Press in the question of fire always sur communities concerned. That parts of Latin America is inclinents were against the Bill.

Mr. Neville Chamberlain, sup- rounds a railway mishap. In this was the fixed policy of the Gov-ed to praise the departure. case, however, this calamily was ernment.-British Wireless Ser- La Nacion, of Buenos Aires, an- porting the Bill, said that the. view Averted.

plauds

social workers the new policy, and de- AMODg

was that clares It will be wise for Mr. the provision of decent and rea- Stimson to "terminate once and sonable amusement kept young for all the troublesome Nicara-people from undesirable tempta- guan question, which for twenty tlon.

A continuation of the debate years has been the cause of grave suspiciona and lamentable mis-showed that all parties are divid- understandinge Inside and outside ed on the Bill, on which there will the United States." Reuter's be a free vote, and which was sup- American Service.

ported by Sir John Simon, Mr. George Lansbury; First Commis- Bioner

and for Works,

Lord Eustace Percy, Minister for Edu- the Conservative Gov-

valuable assistance to those who were imprisoned in the debris, and the work of rescue carried on throughout the night.

Fortunate Circumstance,

Carriage Telescoped. The first two coaches, both steel. were almost intact, the first one from the supporting the second

foot of the ravine, but the third, a wooden carriages, tolcacoped badly on to the second carriage and caus-

maining two triages were at on the rails, though badly knock- ed about.

One fortunate result of the ac- cident was that the engine veer-

It was, indeed, fortunate that a locomotive could be sent from the Taipo end and proved in- valuable in conveying many of the injured to Taipo and Fanling, where they were housed for the night.

The road from Castle Peak was Taipo at the time of the acci- dent and immediately rushed to impassible at more points than the spot. Dr. Smalley and Dr., one owing to further landalides Court were also soon on the and washouts, and supplies were scene and rendered good work. thus delayed whilst the return Volunteer Cyclists. journey was accomplished and In addition to the Railway the Shatin road attempted. authorities and the Police, there Farther disappointment await- were a good number of othered them just beyond Shatin Sta-ed most of the fatalities. The re- helpers, including three members tion where they encountered a of the H.K.V.D.C. Motor Cycle fleet of private cars, public vehi- Section, who were parading when cles, fire engines and ambulances,

Kind Assistance, they received news of the catas- trophe.

The only means of rapid com- Buses were sent out to bring munication between this pointed to the right and chose à bed of shrubbery rather than taking i in the passengers who were and the second crossing

the left hand side which would stranded. Four of the passengers kindly supplied by Mr. A. el who were injured, except one, Arculli, solicitor, who untiringly have meant a drop of 40 feet intő who had a slight cut on the head, drove his car backward and for- mud on the ses side, "Work was proceeding on the commandeered a taxi that was ward throughout the night. Al- third and fourth coaches, which sent out for the casualties, and though a small car, it was found were telescoped," says our repre-proceeded with all haste to the possible to convey stretcher cases sentative, "and it was here that Kowloon Railway Station, where to the waiting ambulances, which the casualties were the heaviest, they presented their tickets and were instantly despatched to the Beneath the wreckage of the two demanded their money back, tell- Kowloon Hospital.

We also

that learned coaches there were three bodies ing the Railway authorities that

Arculli had telephoned pinned between the chassis. Be- they would have to pay for the Mr. yond these was a Chinese woman taxi.

for launches to convey medical who from time to time told her

supplies, etc., and proved himself a man of remarkable foresight in rescuers she was all right, but

an emergency. to hurry and release her. Jacks were procured and the end of the couch lifted almost a foot, and she was got out little the worse for her experience after roughly seven hours' imprisonment. She was extraordinarily fortunate in that her arm, which held

A China Mail reporter was on the spot shortly after the rescue, work had begun, and gives a gra- phic description.

her pinned in the debris, was caught between two bodies.

Held in Wreckage.

i

The Death Roll.

'It was further learned this morning that the death roll is about 12, and the number of per- sons injured is placed at 20. No. 4 Police Launch brought in ten

was

Fleet of Buses. Telephonic communication to Kowloon or Hong Kong was im- possible owing to the destruction

of the injured persons this morn-of the wires at the scene of the disaster, but these handicaps were aurmounted by a number of gentlemen who set out with the express purpose of reaching their goal in spite of al' difficulties.

ing.

An oxy-acetyline cutting ap paratus was sent out in order that an attempt might be made to liberate the Chinese boy and his In the other end of the teles- elder brother, who are still im- coped compartment was a Chin-prisoned in the tangled wreckage ese boy about nine years old, who of the steel coach. was held in the wreckage by his According to a report issued by foot, which was caught between the Police at Shatin, it appears two buffers. This little fellow that the train was carrying 100 showed remarkable courage and passengers. never once did he cry out. He was the only living person that could not be released, and great

fears were entertained on his be- half, owing to the fact that the embankment might at any mo- ment subside, and topple the car- ringe into the bed of the stream below. Beside the boy lay an elderly Chinese beyond human

aid:

.

P

RELIEF DIFFICULTIES,

Motor Car Plunges Into Gap.

be

Wooden splinters had to hacked away before rescuers could enter the third coach, which was

fortunately within easy access of the side of the rails. The way to the small footpath running along the remaining coaches was not so easy, although operations were directed from the Taipo side with marked success.

vice.

STILL MORE RAIN.

The

Royal Observatory's weather report to-day states:

A depression now covers the whole of China.

Forecast:-Southerly winds. moderate; squally; generally overcast; occasional rain.

Rainfall.

Rainfall for 24 hours end- ed at 10 a.m. to-day-0.9T inch. Rainfall since January 1-12.86 inches against an average of 9.60 inches-sur- plus 3.26 inches.

Temperature.

The temperature at certain specified centres this morning at 6 o'clock was:-

• Hong Kong Macao

78

77.

Pratas Island

79

Foochow

50 56

Chefoo

Shanghai

Canton Express Saved.

factors Two very important favoured the Kowloon and Can-

there ton Railway in that

Was no downpour after the disaster, as rain would undoubtedly have awakened some of those prostrate figures to their painful surround- inge and also hindered any salvage WAGES FOR MINERS. that could be attempted.

The other important factor was that the Canton express, which was to have arrived at this point at about 7:40 p.m. was warned in

MINISTER RECEIVES A DEPUTATION.

PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD.

Rugby, Yesterday.

Earlier News,

New York, Yesterday.

the

British Subjects Killed,

London, Yesterday.

and

in

future proceedings must be insti tuted by the local authority. Un- less the problem was solved there would be widespread irritation.

Rejection Moved.

In the House of Commons Mr cation in

Henderson stated that His ernment.-British Wireless Ser-

Majesty's Charge d'Affaires had vice. cabled reporting that the Nicara- guan rebels were retreating in- land, after being attacked by the National Guard, whose officer

Flerce Opposition.

London, Yesterday.

One thousand opponents of the Sunday Cinema Bill gathered out- state the situation ક now side the House of Commons while controlled.

the Bill was being debated last Mr. Henderson regretted that night. As the time for division in the disturbances two British approached, a

group of white West Indian subjects were killed. haired old men knelt on the pave- -Reuter,

ment praying for defeat of the Bill and "a visitation on the

TURNING A DESERT

INTO FARMLAND.

&

Huge Dam to Be Built on Colorado River.

$48,000,000 CONTRACT,

acres

a

iniquitous who defended it."

made

Groups of supporters and oppon- ents of the B engaged in fierce argument in which the police had to intervene. An attempt was to enter the House itself, but was frustrated by the Police, who finally dispersed the crowd.

Inside the House the removal of the party whips brought the dramatic tenBeness of the clash of individual opinions and convic- tions.

The

Washington, Yesterday.. Hundreds of thousands of

Mr. Clynes, moving, the second of barren desert will be reading, said that it was the duty When a rough estimate of the

converted into smiling orchards of the House to modify the law seriousness of the damage was

and farms by the construction of in accordance with present day ascertained in Kowloon, it was

giant boulder dam on the conditions, or enforce it. learned that the Bus Companies time. This was in the nature of

Colorado River, for which Sena-latter courac would mean enforce- had received orders to place alla trial run with one of the most

Mr. T. Shiswell, Mines Secretary, tor Wilbur, Secretary of the In-ment of the "hoary Act" of 1780, available buses at the service of modern engines, capable of doing

the journey in 31⁄2 hours.

to-day met a joint deputation of the terior, signed a $48,000,000 con- which would stop every entertain the medical authorities, and el

The previous train to the ill-Miners' Federation and miners' tract yesterday. The dam is ex-ment in village institutes and con- the impassable junction on the fated one Bately entered the tun- Members of Parliament, which laid pected to take a decade to build cert halls. Clearly conditions in Shatin road thirteen buses were in readiness for immediate action. nel two hours before the disaster, proposals before him on the legisla- and will be one of the largest in 1780 were not comparable to those

probably loosening the ground and tion relating to a minimum wage the world.-Reuter. preparing the scene for the sub for the mining industry, INDESCRIBABLĘ SCENE.

Fad the sequent derailment.

Mr. Shinwall said that he would fatal train and its two-local suc-bring the representation to the Tremendous Water Power

- castors managed to pass, the Can notice of the Cabinet-British Responsible.

ton express might have carried Wireless Service. nearly 600 passengers to their deaths..

morning summoned before Mr. W. The turning point in the debitte as is practicable under the exist-Schofield for having committed a was a speech by Sir John Simon The Hong Kong Tramways Coming conditions..

breach of his learner's licence, by in support of the measure, in which

Nothing less than a cloudburst could have damaged the railway embankment to the extent which An indescribable scene of havoc caused the disaster, and further aszalled the eyes of the first of evidence of the heavy rains could the rescue party as they emerged be witnessed all around.

from the small tunnel in the hill

Bus Replaces Train.

EUROPEAN'S BREACH.

of 1981.

Mr. McPherson, a Scottish mem- ber whose native land is unaffect- ed by the Bill, moved rejection

Mr. J. P. Napler-Bell, of the an Impassioned speech, describing Asiatic Petroleum Company, was the Bill as an attempt to commer- at the Central Magistracy this cialise Sunday,

Driver and Fireman Escape. Remarkable escapes were ex-"

The landslide which blocked from the direction of Shatin Sta-pany, Limited, courteously inform- These buses will run from the driving a motor car in Hennessy he drew a striking picture of Bun- perienced by the driver and fire the line between Shatin and Sha- tion, The shattered remains ofed us by telephone this morning Star Ferry terminus at intervals Road on March 80 at 2.20 pm.

that it has been decided to place of half an hour, the last leaving "Defendant "pleaded guilty," and single room with no alternative man of the train the former tin Tunnel prevented the relief what had once been a local train suffering from a fractured leg, train reaching the scene of the looming out, of the belt of steam, and the fireman getting off with accident This was unfortunate, which was pouring out of the dis a shaking. The latter as good work could have been engaged engine at the foot of the thrown, out, of the cab of the en- gine when the train left the metals....

WL8

By midnight all the bodies that! could be found had been extricat- ed, with the exception of three in the front coach. Numbers of the injured were removed to Tai- po, while others were brought to Kowloon by various vehicles. Owing to the fact that a road subsidence had occurred at Sha- tin, motor cars could only pro ceed to a spot about three miles from the scene, to any lo

Dr. Farr and Mr. H. H Beddow, (of the Central British F School) were in the vicinity of p

Fome Kat Tack: Motor Company for Shatin at 8 p.m. daily." buses on the route to Shatin-or

This temporary service should as near to Shatin railway stationsrove of the greatest convenience to the public, by whom it will bo thoroughly appreciated.

we is a rough sketch showing the scene of the

at Shatin yester

it is believed that len or twelve people perished the derailment of the local train.

the result of a landslið

even Which

Bodies Recovered.

A report from the Police at mid day to-day states that the bodies

-4

day night spent by a family in a

intimated that there was another but to go into the wet streets, ⠀⠀ person with him at the time who. Sir Thomas Inskip, opposing the was teaching, him: (defendant). Bill, likened the commercialisation His Worship Imposed a. line of of the Sabbath to "sticking an pd- $10,

vertisement on the Cenotaph."

Second Reading Vote. The voting was as follows:

For

258 210 Against

A MARE'S NEST.

Majority 48

Reuter.

AIR MAIL CRASH.

Be

Bydney, Yesterday.

of four Chinese males and two A resident in the vicinity of Chinese females were removed to Bowen Road telephoned to Central the Kowloon Mortuary this morn- Police Blation at 8.20 o'clock last ing and that there are still more | night, giving Information" to the bodles, to be recovered frota the effect that he had heard cries of wreckage.

diatross in the neighbourÃood...‚ of Two of the injured people were the Bowen Road filter beds. V released from the Kowloon Hos However, on enquiries being pital this morning, but about 14 made by the Police, it was dis-Air Commander Kingsford other patients admitted are in a covered that the "cries" were be Smith is taking the "Southern serious condition

ing made by a number of Chinese Cross" to upang to pick up the The Identification of the dead | who were engaged in a game call-Inir mail of the "City of Calro.-—-—--- will be held to-morrow.

led "chai, mul.”

4.Reuter.2